Category Archives: Blog Series

Spring Race Weekend Part I

Last year, I attended my first NASCAR race and my life hasn’t been the same since. I’m serious. Really serious. There’s something about race weekend, the crowd, the atmosphere, the adrenaline, the scent of exhaust in the air. I can’t quite pinpoint it but it’s now one of my absolute favorite times of the year (right next to Christmas and the steak cookoffs). Maybe it’s because I feel like it brings the simplicity of being a girl from the country and getting that good ole feeling of being a redneck in this big ole city. Either way – I love it and can’t get enough and I leave feeling just about as relaxed as I would from a weekend at the beach. If that’s not love I don’t know what is.

Friday night was the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300. Not so many people at this race but you’ll still find some peculiar ones, in our case we found two. They were sitting about seven or so seats down from us. One was highly intoxicated and everytime we got up to let him head to the restrooms (presumably), we were a little more concerned about him getting to the aisle (or back to his seat). His buddy, had a huge tattoo of an eagle across his entire forehead that looked like it had been there for a while. Must’ve been a bad night… I’m not going to lie, I got a semi picture because I thought no one would believe that what we were actually seeing (or more that I couldn’t believe it myself). It was one of those moments where, “I thought this was just the kind of stuff you saw online?!” I’m not going to post it because I already think I’m on God’s bad side for taking it in the first place (see I have a conscience)!

Either way, Drunk McDrunkerson must’ve got some liquid courage because around 100 laps left they passed a cold Keystone Light to us down the row and even offered it up with a little wink when I showed him we had our own. Fellas, I tell ya.

We found our seats in time to see a few of the qualifying laps. We saw Kyle Busch set the limit for the fastest speed on the track, 196.235 mph. Slightly fast, eh? We were right on turn one. I moseyed on down to grab a little video for y’all (and more importantly my dad) of how fast they’re going (and praying that the car stayed on the track). First thought that crossed my mind as he flew by was “$hit!”. They go pretty fast! The video doesn’t really provide justice.

As much as I love last falls day race, the night race is just as relaxing. More importantly, I don’t have to worry about getting fried by the Texas sun. My pale skin can’t handle it.

On another note…. these two. Seriously, best seats in the house?! They were facing the track, pretty much first row, RV style. The best part of this is it looks like he’s trying to talk to his wife (maybe the other way around). You can’t hear anything people are saying to each other. Maybe we should just insert captions here…..  what do you think they’re saying?

And all good times must come to an end. Kyle Busch ended up winning the race. He got a LOT of boo’s where I was sitting. Being fairly new to this whole deal, kind of kept me wondering why people hate him so much. Please let me know if you happen to know.
Meanwhile, you’ll find me cheering for the cute and single racers. *wink, wink*

Texas Tuesday link up with Amanda from Princess of the Panhandle and Crystal from Masons Mama. This is a chance for any blogger to participate in a post on the greatness of Texas! There’s so much to explore!

For more on this event:
Sights of Spring Races

BlogHer ’13 Blog Hop #2: Travel Edition

As mentioned last month, this July I will be heading to the BlogHer conference in Chicago and I couldn’t be more excited! BlogHer is a chance to meet with other bloggers, learn more about blogging and for everyone to expand their horizons! The Kavanaugh Report and The Naptown Organizer have put together a monthly link up for everyone attending so we can get to know each other a little better!

This is the second edition of the BlogHer ’13, ‘Get to Know You’ – Travel Edition!

Here we go….

1. Most importantly, how are you getting to BlogHer13? Plane, train, automobile?
Since BlogHer is in Chicago – we will be flying. Let’s hope for a safe and easy flight (and hopefully affordable).

2. Are you traveling alone or with a friend? Are you stopping anywhere on your way to Blogher13?
This, I am highly excited about! I’ll be traveling with my good friend, Heather from Terrell Family Fun. Heather knows all about gnomes, web design and most importantly blogs about being a fabulous mom to Lennox and wife to Kyle. Be sure to swing by and say hi to her!
Heather and I will also be rooming with Amanda from Princess of the Panhandle! Pure Texan, mama to a cute little Teale and wife to a cowboy… need I say more? Love her blog and I’m not going to lie, a little jealous of her ranch / cowboy lifestyle.
Are we stopping anywhere? Considering that we’re flying, I hope the only stop is a layover if we have one!

3. What is your least favorite travel story or memory of traveling?
Well… there was this one time when I was moving to Texas and had to drive thru West Virginia. Nothing against anyone from West Virginia but your highways are ridiculous and felt like it take FOREVER to drive thru. Let’s just say hills and curves the ENTIRE way.

Then there was this other time where I sat in an airport in Louisville, KY for 12 hours due to “mechanical problems” or something of that nature. That’s right 12 hours! I think that says enough. I don’t even want to think about it.

4. What is your favorite method of travel?
Driving. Hands down driving. You have control, you have your own comfort plus I love my car more than anything!

5. Name one thing you’ll look forward to your travels to BlogHer13?
I’ve never been to Chicago (besides the airport for layovers) so a chance to see this city first hand while meeting all these awesome bloggers is REALLY exciting!

Related Posts:
BlogHer ’13 Blog Hop #1 Introductions
BlogHer ’13 Blog Hop #3 Roommates

BlogHer ’13 Blog Hop #1: Introductions

This July, I will be heading to the BlogHer conference in Chicago and I couldn’t be more excited! BlogHer is a chance to meet with other bloggers, learn more about blogging and for everyone to expand their horizons! The Kavanaugh Report and The Naptown Organizer have put together a monthly link up for everyone attending so we can get to know each other a little better! There’s going to be a lot of people there!

Where do you blog?
Here, at Down Home Traveler! I love being able to share the places that I go, the people that I meet and the experiences that I have! I hope I encourage others to get out there and explore what’s around them!

What do you blog about?
Down Home Traveler is travel, food and music blog, which covers pretty much anything. Sometimes, you’ll find me driving around and I’ll write about everything that I come across and share some great photos! A new restaurant in town or one that I’ve heard about thru the grapevine, I’ll let you know what I thought! Music, who doesn’t love a live show… I’ll fill ya in on that front as well and give you tips about traveling along the way!

Is this your first time going to Blogher?
This is my first time going to BlogHer! I wish I could’ve gone last year as everyone says they have such a great time! I can’t wait!

What’s your favorite post you’ve written in the last year?
Just one?! I had a lot of fun last year attending the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh! There’s been so much, it’s hard to pick just one! (Gruene Hall and the San Antonio Missions were close.)

What are you most looking forward to at Blogher13?
Meeting everyone! This includes the friends I’ve made thru blogging but also the people that I’ve yet to meet!

Where else {Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, Etc.} can we find you?
Twitter (@DownHomeTravel) ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Bloglovin

Who eles is going to BlogHer ’13?!

Related Posts:
BlogHer ’13 Blog Hop #2 Travel Edition
BlogHer ’13 Blog Hop #3 Roommates